Vaccine Certificate Counterfeiter At Makassar Sultan Hasanuddin Airport Arrested

ILLUSTRATION/DOCK BETWEEN

MAKASSAR - Security officers at Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport Makassar, Maros Regency, South Sulawesi, arrested two touts forgers of health documents, PCR tests and COVID-19 vaccine certificates, which are requirements for airplane passengers.

"The alleged perpetrators, each with the initials MN and DF, have been arrested. They are currently in the process of further investigation," said the Head of the Makassar Sultan Hasanuddin Airport Police, Iptu Asep, quoted by Antara, Thursday, September 30.

These two individuals, said Asep, were arrested by officers while marketing and at the same time offering packages of PCR test results, tickets and fake COVID-19 vaccine certificates to passengers who were about to depart from Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport.

"So the modus operandi is that these brokers offer passengers a package. In addition to plane tickets, they are accompanied by a medical certificate," he explained.

Asep explained that the two perpetrators carried out their actions in an organized manner. DF is tasked with finding prospective passengers by offering taxis as the initial mode of transporting prospective passengers to the airport.

During the trip, the alleged perpetrator then offered the prospective passengers health documents such as PCR and vaccine certificates. Including plane tickets if you don't have a ticket.

The perpetrators offered the fake health document package with the excuse of making it easier for prospective passengers to travel. After the victim agreed to the offer, then DF contacted his colleague who was already prepared at the airport.

"DF pretended to have acquaintances who could take care of the package of documents. (Certificate of Vaccine, PCR and tickets) then took them to the MN (suspected perpetrator) who was ready. Packages for that (vaccine certificate and PCR) cost Rp. 1.5 million per person, " said Asep.

The case was revealed after airport officials became suspicious of the brokers' movements. So when the transaction with the victim, the officer immediately arrested.

"The two suspected perpetrators are still in the airport police detention room to undergo examination. Meanwhile, there are only two suspects and we are continuing to develop their network. To determine the status of the suspect, not yet, because investigators are still investigating," he asserted.